Image copyrightPAImage caption Jane Collins said the party’s attitude to women was “disgusting”

Ms Seymour, who represents the West Midlands, said she was “not walking away from the party’s original core principles, but the present party’s direction means it has walked away from me, and its original membership”.

Responding to her resignation, Mr Batten tweeted that her decision was driven by “sour grapes and hypocrisy”.

And Margot Parker, who represents the East Midlands, said she could not be part of Mr Batten’s “distasteful regime any longer”, saying he had “taken his eye off the ball” and was crusading on divisive issues.

The other MEPs to quit under Mr Batten’s leadership are Lord William Dartmouth, Julia Reid, Patrick O’Flynn, David Coburn, Louise Bours and Tim Aker – many of whom were allies of Mr Farage.

According to the European Parliament website, Louise Bours left UKIP in November 2018 to become an independent MEP – however, she has made no public statement about her decision.

Where have they gone?

Patrick O’Flynn has joined the Social Democratic Party and is planning to stand as a candidate if there is a by-election in Peterborough

Roger Helmer has retired

Who is left?

Image caption Mike Hookem is one of only three MEPs elected in 2014 currently confirmed as standing again

Of the 24 MEPs who were elected to the European Parliament in 2014, just four remain.

They are Stuart Agnew, Raymond Finch, Mike Hookem and their leader Gerard Batten. UKIP has confirmed that three of them – Mr Agnew, Mr Hookem and Mr Batten – have been selected to stand in the party’s top tier of candidates this May.

When asked about the decline in his party’s representation, Mr Batten said that many MEPs had left before he became leader .

In a statement the party said: “UKIP is entering the Euro elections with the three loyal MEPs who have honoured their commitments, alongside a fresh slate of candidates.